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Big Sur: The Lost Modern Frontier

Mark’s interest in photography and love for landscapes constantly draws him into some amazing places. He researches his subjects extensively, sometimes making many trips to selected areas waiting for the perfect light, an interesting approach to the subject, and just the right moment.His goal of "freezing time for others to enjoy" is what drives him to create his visions.

Mark has a passion for landscape and classic creative aviation photography as well as providing large scale commercial installations of his fine art photographic murals and print works throughout California.

He has over 25 years of professional fine art and photographic experience.

He works with both small and large corporate businesses in helping them project a powerful impact through his images. Mark offers photographic workshops in various U.S. and International locations.

This amazing stretch of land along with California’s central coast has been strangely hidden from view from so many driving up and down it for years. Except for of its widely published Bixby bridge and a few known public beaches, the real Big Sur is largely hidden from view.

Big Sur and California’s Highway 1 have been a haunt for beat poets of the 50’s, followed by the hippies of the 60s and 70s. It’s now a known destination for the international tourist to explore by bicycle, car, or rented camper. And don’t forget your standard domestic traveler looking for a weekend stay at many of its numerous “New Age” resorts.

Most photographers explore this amazing place in a quick panic. Making numerous midday stops, as they rubberneck and careen up or down the Highway. They miss much, except for the few marked turnouts to snap a quick selfie with the masses doing the same. They then scurry off, saying they’ve experienced California’s Big Sur Coast, but somehow wondering if there was more?

The Big Sur was one of the last Spanish land grants, for good reason. It was one of the most inhospitable and difficult pieces of land in California to navigate, farm or ranch. Simply because its steepness and it was difficult to extract resources. This carries on in our modern era.

This dramatic and somewhat difficult area presents a challenge for the modern landscape photographer as well, wanting to capture its essence safely and effectively. It may take many tries to get it right if you don’t know Big Sur’s off the beaten path places intimately. We have been exploring it for years, finding amazing new locations each time we do!